Less than two weeks after he was conferred with Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former military governor of old Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd) has unveiled  38 other military officers that played vital roles in the struggle for the validation of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Lt.Col Umar named Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar;  former Lagos State  Military Administrator Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Administrator of Ekiti State,   Mohammed  Bawa and ex-National Security Adviser(NSA) Sambo Dasuki among them.

He described the 38  as ‘’unsung heroes’’  who risked their ‘’careers and even lives’’ for the cause.

Lt.Col Umar, who formally accepted the national honour on Sunday, said there were other military personnel in the same category whose names he could not remember.

The former military governor, however, apologised to them.

Other officers contained in a statement he made public include Lt. Col Lawal J. Isa, Lt. Col  U.F. Ahmed,   Lt. Col M.L. Gwadabe, Lt. Col  J. Temlong, Lt Col  Musa Shehu, Lt. Col  Chris Eze, Lt. Col H.M. Dzarma,    Lt. Col  Isa Jibrin, Lt. Col  J. S Oshanupin and  Lt. Col. A. Oloruntoba  (Kabiyesi Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom in Kogi State).

Also listed are  Lt. Col. Moke, Lt. Col. Happy Bulus,   Col. J Okai, Col. E. Ndubueze, Lt. Col. Yakubu Muazu, Lt. Col. Yahaya Abubakar (current Etsu Nupe), Maj. Abba Maimalari,  Maj. Jamil Tahir, Maj. Buzugbe, Maj. L.P. Aprezi and  Maj. M.K. Yake.

Others are  Maj. J Dawah, Maj. Suleiman  Wali, Maj. Dauda Komo, Maj. Lucky Torrie, Maj. J.S Zaruwa, Maj. M. Sumaye, Maj. Sani Bawa, Maj Ndaliman, Maj Ahmed,   Lt. Col J.B Ahmadu, Capt.Junaid Bindawa  and Capt. Lar.

Lt.Col Umar, who  expressed concern over the non-recognition of the officers, revealed that when President Tinubu notified him of the honour to be conferred on him, his ‘’first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes.’’   

His statement reads:  “When the President called to inform me of his decision to magnanimously confer on me the national award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR)  on account of my much advertised role in the struggle for the validation of the June 12th election and affirmation of Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, my first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes. Those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking their careers and even lives.

“Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs. While I have been recognised and celebrated, including this national honour by the President, they have remained anonymous.

“It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.

‘’The fact that Chief Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th election, won over 80 per cent of the Armed Forces votes demonstrated the contribution of the other members of the military. I should add that this list is by no means exhaustive.

“There are a lot more participants who have remained unknown to me since they served under others. I apologise to all those whose names I must have missed. May God recognise and reward your sacrifice.

“Top on my list is my deputy at the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Col. MA Garba, whose commitment was so strong that he continued with the execution of our plans after some of us were arrested, detained and mercifully retired in October 1993.